Waterproof tail and clearance light

ABSTRACT

A waterproof tail or clearance light assembly comprising: a base member having internal and external surfaces; a lamp assembly secured to the base member internal surface; the lamp assembly including electrical leads extending through the base member to the base external surface; a cap member having a lens, the cap member cooperating with said base member to form a closed receptacle; one of the members including a shoulder portion and a circular sealing portion projecting from the shoulder portion in endwise fashion, the sealing portion having its diameter at the shoulder greater than its diameter at the free end thereof; the sealing portion being provided with O-ring retaining means and an O-ring positioned in the retaining means around the sealing portion; the other of the members being provided with an annular mating portion having an annular rim, the mating portion cooperating with the sealing portion to fit telescopically around the sealing portion and the rim abutting the shoulder portion; and means for securing the cap member to the base member; whereby when the cap member is secured to the base member, the sealing portion cooperates with the mating portion to compress the O-ring thereby rendering the receptacle formed by the base and cap members water tight.

United States Patent 1191 Riley et al.

i 1 WATERPROOF TAIL AND CLEARANCE LIGHT [76] inventors: D. RichardRiley, PO. Box 1663,

Riverside, Calif. 92502; Earl A. Andren, 920 N. Main St., Riverside,Calif. 92501 [22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [2]] App]. No.: 287,874

[52] U.S. Cl 240/83, 240/26, 240/415 Dec. 18, 1973 Att0rr 1ey--B. EdwardShlesinger, Jr. et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT A waterproof tail or clearance light assembly comprising:a base member having internal and external surfaces; a lamp assemblysecured to the base member internal surface; the lamp assembly includingelectrical leads extending through the base member to the base externalsurface; a cap member having a lens, the cap member cooperating withsaid base member to form a closed receptacle; one of the members includ-[511 B60 1/30 ing a shoulder portion and a circular sealing portion [581Field of Search 240/83, 41.5, 7.5, p j g r m h h r p r ion in endwisefash- 240/26,,11 ion, the sealing portion having its diameter at theshoulder greater than its diameter at the free end [56] References Cit dthereof; the sealing portion being provided with O-ring UNITED STATESPATENTS retaining means and an O-ring positioned in the re- 3 046 3887/1962 shin 240/8 3 taining means around the sealing portion; the otherof l'l 2,794,114 5/1957 Chamberlain... 240/415 x the l i bemg i imnular.matmg 3,248,531 4/1966 Dover 240/83 Porno havlng an annular "13mg P1310177 6/1931 Hyatt I I 1 4 240/415 operating w1th the seahng port1onto fit telescop1cally 2,925,487 2/1960 Beach 240/83 around the ling p ri n nd the rim abutting the 2,642,522 6/1953 McDowelletal. 240/83 Xshoulder portion; and means for securing the cap 2,667,569 1/1954Lethcoe 240/83 member to the base member; whereby when the cap 21916160712/1959 Bergman 1 I 1 member is secured to the base member, the sealing31249175] 5/1966 Stephens et 240/83 X portion cooperates with the matingportion to com- 3,678,266 Fredette press the g thereby e er ng hereceptacle 2 f db th b s cl m mb at t' ht. Primary ExaminerSamuel S.Matthews orme y e a e Cap 8 ers w er lg Assistant Examiner-E. M. Bero 13Claims, 21 Drawing Figures 1 f 1 1 1 I641 196 197 1 i 1 l 1 1 1 1 180 II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 186 1 1 1 1 l 1 1 l 1 l l l l 1 1 1 1 11 160 1 1 1 1 11 1 11 T 1 1 1 1 1 I I 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 162 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i1 Lil PATENTED DEC 18 I973 SHEET 10F 8 IIEIIIH- 4 Fig.3

' PAIENTED DEC 18 I973 SHEET 3 BF 8 Fig. 6

Fig. 7

PATENIEDBEE 18 I915 3.780.282

SHEEI 5 BF '8 sum 7 0F 8 PATENTEQUEB 1 8 m5 Fig. /6

PMENTEDBEE18 I973 SHEEY 8 UP 8 WATERPROOF TAIL AND CLEARANCE LIGHTSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvedwaterproof light fixture of the type generally utilized as a tail orclearance light for boat trailers, trucks. etc. The unique constructionof this fixture permits its use in extremely moist environments or ininstances where complete submersion may occur.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS When launching a boat from aconventional trailer hitched to an automobile, it is customary practiceto back the trailer and boat into the water until the trailer is nearlysubmerged and the boat is free to float on the surface of the water.Such submersion of the trailer presents a serious problem since the tailand clearance lights of the trailer are necessarily submerged also. Ithas been found that when vehicle lights have been exposed to an undueamount of moisture or submerged, water may leak inside the housingthereby causing rusting and corrosion or possibly short circuiting ofthe lamp circuit. Such conditions may easily render the trailer unsafefor towing on public highways.

It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide a tail orclearance light assembly which is waterproof and capable of submersionwithout the leakage of water to-the interior thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tail or clearance lightassembly in which easy access to the lamp assembly may be had. i

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tail or clearancelight in which a desiccant is enclosed with the fixture therebyprecluding fogging of the lens should a small amount of moisture bepresent therein.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tail orclearance light assembly which is simple in design and easy tomanufacture.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tail or clearancelight assembly wherein the interior of the fixture is sealed by anO-ring compressed between mating portions of the assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tail or clearancelight assembly having tapered mating surfaces thereby resulting inuniform 360 compression of the O-ring sea].

A further object of this invention is to provide a tail FIG. 4 is apartially exploded side elevational view in section of a furthermodification of this invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the light assembly shown in FIG. 4 where thelens has been removed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view in section of anotherembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in section of still another embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view in sec tion of a furtherembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view in section of yet another embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the light assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the light assembly shown in FIG. 8 where thelens has been removed; I

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an attaching base for securing the lightassembly shown in FIG. 8 to a planar surface;

FIGS. 12 through 15 are fragmentary elevational views in section ofvarious further embodiments of this invention;

FIGS. 16 and 18 are elevational views in section of still furtherembodiments of this invention;

FIGS. 17 and 19 are fragmentary elevational views in section of yetfurther embodiments of this invention.

As shown in the drawings:

FIGS. 1 THROUGH 3 Clearance light C includes a base member 2 which ispreferably of one-piece construction and made of a material which can beeasily molded such as a suitable plastic or the like. It would not beoutside the scope of this invention, however, to usemetal or any othermaterial possessing desirable characteristics. Base 2 cornprisesgenerally a sealing portion 4 and a flange 6. Sealing portion 4 isannular as shown in FIG. 3 and forms a shoulder 8 with flange 6. Sealingportion 4 is further provided with a circumferential step 10 the uppersur face of which may be slightly concave so as to more effectively seatresilient O-ring 12 which is disposed thereon. Both the upper portion 14of the sealing annulus 4 and that portion 16 which is immediatelybeneath step 10 tapers slightly inward so as to provide a more effectiveseal as will be described. later.

Cooperating with base 4 is a cap member 18. Cap member 18 is preferablycomposed of a moldable plastie and includes a lens portion 20 and areflector poror clearance light assembly having a lens and reflectorcombination which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide an O- ring sealed lampassembly in which undue distortion of the O-ring is eliminated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tail orclearance light assembly which is easy to attach to the vehicle body.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example variousembodiments of this invention:

FIG. 11 is an elevation in section of one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the light assembly shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the light assembly shown in FIG I where the lensand reflector has been removed;

tion 22 integral therewith. The lens portion 20 should be transparent ortranslucent and of a color complying with the legal requirements forsignal lights on vehicles. Reflector portion 22 may be made of the samematerial as lens 20 but treated in a manner so that it will effectivelyreflect visible light; Cap member 18 fits telescopically over basemember 4 and the inner wall 24 of lens 20 cooperates with the outersurfaces of portions 14 and 16 of sealing portion 4 so as to compressresilient O-ring I2 therebetween. The inner surface 24 of lens 20 andthe outer surfaces of portions 14 and 16 are tapered to insure thatO-ring 12 is compressed uniformly about its periphery when the capmember is inserted on the base 2. A further advantage of the taperedstructure of sealing portion 4 is that O-ring 12 is engaged by the innerwall 24 of lens 20 for only a short distance of the travel of lens 20over sealing portion 4 before sufficient compression of O-ring I2 isaccomplished and the cap member 18 is properly seated on base 2. In thismanner any twisting or distortion of O-ring 12 due to the tangentialfrictional forces created by inner wall 24 sliding over the outersurface of O-ring 12 is maintained at a minimum. Downward movement ofcap member 18 onto base 2 is terminated when reflector 22 and rim 28abut shoulders 8 and 30, respectively. Cap 18 is retained on base 2 bymeans of an annular ridge or rib 32 on base 2 cooperating with a recess34 in cap 18. As an alternative to the single ridge 32 which encompassesbase 2 and the corresponding mating recess 34 in cap 18, a plurality ofspaced protuberances (not shown) on base member 2 may cooperate with aplurality of spaced indentations (not shown) on cap member 18.

Secured to the inner surface 36 of base member 2 is a standard lampassembly 38 including a light bulb 40 and leads 42 the latter extendingthrough floor 44 into recess 46. Leads 42 may be potted with epoxy resinor the like to insure a water tight seal between the closed receptacle48 formed by the cooperation of cap 18 and sealing portion 4 and recess46. Also secured to the floor 44 is a desiccant 50 which may be made ofa sheet-like material and retained by an integral stud boss 52, and acooperating Tinnerman nut 54. Desiccant 50 serves to eliminate anysweating of the interior walls of lens and sealing portion 4 caused bythe presence of a small amount of moisture within receptacle 48. Theelimination of such sweating substantially decreases the possibilitythat the lamp assembly may be shorted out or that lens 20 may fail totransmit sufficient light due to the condensed moisture therein. Itshould be added that while the use of a sheet-like desiccant ispreferred in the type of light assembly shown in FIG. 1, otherdesiccants such as containerized deactivated clay, CaCl Drynite, etc.,may be used.

Clearance light C is secured to vehicle body 56 by means of bolts 58countersunk in flange 6 and cooperating with nuts 60 on the oppositeside of vehicle body 56.

FIGS. 4 THROUGH 7 FIG. 4 illustrates a modified version of the clearancelight C shown in FIG. 1. Clearance light C comprises generally a basemember 62 including flange 64 and sealing portion 66, and a cap member68. Sealing portion 66 includes an annular upper portion 70, acircumferential recess 72 and a circumferential ridge 74. Disposedwithin recess 72 is a resilient O-ring 76 which extends slightly beyondthe outer surface 78 of sealing portion 66. The interior 80 of sealingportion 66 is sealed and made water tight by the cooperation of theinner surface 82 of cap member 68 cooperating with the outer surface 78of sealing portion 66 to compress O-ring 72 therebetween. As was thecase in the clearance light shown in FIG. 1, both the outer surface 78of sealing portion 66 and the inner surface 82 of the cap member 68 aretapered so as to provide a uniform seal and maintain the distortion ofO-ring 72 at a minimum. Cap member 68 is secured to sealing portion 66by means of ridge 74 cooperating with recess 84 in snap acting fashion.

Cap member 68 is preferably made of a plastic having resilientcharacteristics to permit recess 84 to engage ridge 74. Furthermore, theupper portion 86 of cap member 68 should be translucent so as to permittthe transmission of light of the desired wave length. Portion 86 mayfurther be grooved or shaped so as to refract the light which passestherethrough.

Flange 64 may be manufactured separately from sealing portion 66 andpreferably made so that it will reflect visible light.

Disposed within the interior of sealing portion 66 are the lamp assembly88 and desiccant 90 as described in conjunction with FIG. 1. Theclearance light shown in FIG. 4 may be secured to a vehicle body (notshown) by any number of means such as a bolt (not shown) passing fromthe interior 80 of sealing portion 66 through floor 92 and reflector 64.Index stud 94 may cooperate with an appropriate aperture in the vehiclebody (not shown) to properly position clearance light C thereon.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structural modification of the clearance lightshown in FIG. 4 whereby the cap member 94 is secured to scaling portion96 by means of O- ring 98. In this modification, the ridge 74 employedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 to retain cap member 68 has beeneliminated and cap member 94 has been provided with a recess 100 at aposition opposite recess 102 when rim 104 abuts shoulder 106. O-ring 102is compressed slightly between the surfaces of recesses 100 and 102 toseal the interior 108 of sealing portion 96 from the ambient as in theprevious examples. 0- ring 98, however, serves a second purpose in thatit frictionally retains cap 94 in sealing position by contact with thesurface of recess 100.

In FIG. 6, clearance light C comprises a base member 110 including aflange 112 and a sealing portion 114 extending therefrom and a capmember 116 telescopically fitting over sealing portion 114 and securedto base 110 by means of bolts 118 threadedly engaging the internalthreads of bolts 120. Bolts 120 are countersunk in flange 112 and serveto fasten the entire assembly to a vehicle body (not shown).

Sealing portion 14 is annular and the outer surfaces 122 thereof aregenerally frusto-conical in shape. The outer surface 122 of sealingportion 114 has a circumferential recess 124 therein and a resilientO-ring 126 is positioned in recess 124 and cooperates with the innersurface 126 of cap 116 to seal the closed receptacle 128 from theambient as previously described.

As was the case with the light assembly shown in the previous figures,the upper portion 130 of cap member 116 should be translucent and ispreferably shaped to function as a lens. Lamp assembly 132, leads 134and desiccant assembly 136 are of the type previously described.

FIG. 7 illustrates another way of sealing closed recep' tacle 138 fromthe ambient. Base 140 comprises a flange 142 and a circular sealingportion 144 extending therefrom and having a circumferential step 146therein. Step 146 may have a recess 148 therein to retain O-ring 150.The surface of recess 148 cooperates with surface 152 of cap 154 tocompress O-ring therebetween and rim portion 156 of cap 154 abutsshoulder 158.

FIGS. 8 THROUGH 11 The light assembly shown in FIG. 8 is of a designmost suitable for use as a tail light. Tail light T comprises a basemember 160 including a reflecting receptacle 162 and a sealing portion164 extending therefrom forming shoulder 166, and a cap member 168 madeof translucent material.

Receptacle 162 includes floor 170 to which lamp assembly 172 anddesiccant 174 are attached. Electrical leads 1'76 pass through floor 170into recess 178 and are potted by means of epoxy resin or the like toprovide sealing of the interior 180 of receptacle 162. Desiecant 174 ispreferably made of sheet-like material and secured to floor 170 by meansof studs 182 and Tinner' man nuts 184 as previously described.Receptacle 162 is preferably flared so as to best reflect the lightgenerated by bulb 186 through translucent cap member or lens 16.

Scaling the interior 1180 of receptacle 162 at the capreceptacle jointis achieved in a manner similar to that as described in conjunction withFIG. 1. Sealing por tion 164 has a circumferential step188 therein whichsupports O-ring 190. The outer surface of sealing portion 164 cooperateswith the inner wall 192 of cap member 1614 to compress O-ring 190therebetween. Both the outer surface of sealing portion 164 and theinner wall 192 of cap 168 are tapered inward slightly so as to assure agood seal. Ridge 194 cooperates with recess 196 in snap-acting fashionto retain cap 168 on base 160. Cap rim 197 cooperates with shoulder 166to limit the downward motion of cap 168 on sealing portion 164 therebypreventing ridge 194 from breaking should cap 168 sustain undue downwardforce.

Tail light T may be attached to a vehicle body (not shown) by means ofmetal base 198 secured to base 160 by means of integral Tinnerman nut200, formed by stamping or the like, cooperating with stud bosses 202which may be integral with floor 170. Base 198 may then be secured tothe vehicle body (not shown) by means of bolts 204.

FIGS. 12 THRGUGH FIGS. 12 through 15 show various methods for bothsealing a tail light assembly of the type shown in FIG. 8 and retainingthe cap member to the base member.

In FIG. 12, cap or lens 204 has a recess 206 therein which cooperateswith Oring 208 seated in recess 210 to both seal the interior 212 ofreceptacle 214 and secure cap 204 to scaling portion 216. As previouslydescribed, the surfaces of recess 206 and 210 compress and frictionallyengage the outer surface of O-ring 208. Rim 218 abuts shoulder 220thereby limiting downward motion of cap 204 onto receptacle 214.

In FIG. 13, the inner surface 222 of cap 224 cooperates with the outersurface 226 of sealing portion 228 to compress O-ring 230 which isseated in recess 232. Ridge 234 cooperates with recess 236 insnap-acting fashion to retain cap 224 about sealing portion 228. Rim 238abuts shoulder 240 to limit the downward motion of cap 224 which maycause ridge 234 to break.

FlG. 13A illustrates a design which is essentially the converse of thatshown in FIG. 13. Inner surface 242 of receptacle 244 cooperates withthe outer surface 246 of sealing portion 248 to compress O-ring 250which is seated in recess 252. Ridge 254 on sealing portion 248cooperates in snap-acting fashion with recess 256 in receptacle 244 toretain cap 258 on receptacle 244. Rim 260 cooperates with shoulder 262to prevent cap 258 from being forced within receptacle 244 should itsustain undue downward force. An obvious modification of the assemblyshown in FIG. 13A would be to provide surfaces 242 and 246 with matchingrecesses as in FIG. 13 thereby eliminating the need for ridge 254.

In FIG. 14, lens or cap 264 is secured to receptacle 266 by means ofbolts 268 passing through ears 270 and threadedly engaging receptacleears 272. O-ring 274, which is seated in recess 276, is compressedbetween the surfaces of recess 276 and shoulder 278.

The light assembly shown in FIG. 15 is similar to that shown in FIG. 14with the exception that O-ring 280 is retained in recess 282 on thetapered surface 284 of sealing portion 286. Tapered inner surface 288 ofreceptacle 290 cooperates with the surface of recess 282 to compressO-ring 280.

It should be noted that the sealing portion outer surfaces andreceptacle inner surfaces which cooperate to compress the O ring in theembodiments of FIGS. l2, 13, 13A and 15 are tapered so as to achieve auniform compression of the O-ring and prevent any unnecessary distortionthereof.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1,4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 13A, 15, 16 and18, it is preferable that the sealing portion outer surfaces taper moregradually than the corresponding mating portion inner surfaces so thatthe O-ring does not reach maximum compression until the cap member isfully seated. Such a disparity in taper is illustrated in theappropriate drawings.

FIGS. 16 THROUGH 19 In FIG. 16, tail light T comprises a base 292including a flange 294 and a frusto-conical sealing portion 296extending therefrom, and a cap member 298 secured to base 294 by meansof bolts 300 passing through ears 302 and threadedly secured tointernally threaded studs 304. Sealing portion 296 has a circumferentialrecess 306 which retains a resilient O-ring 308. The inner surface 310of annular mating portion 312 cooperates with the surface of recess 306to compress O-ring 308 therebetween. Both inner surface 310 and theouter surface 314 of sealing portion 296 are preferably tapered withsealing portion 296 tapering more gradually than mating portion 312 sothat O-ring 308 reaches maximum compression when rim 316 abuts flange294 and the cap is properly seated.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is similar to that shown in FIG. 16except for the interface between mating portion 318 of cap 320 andsealing portion 322 of base 324. In this instance, O-ring 326 is seatedin a recess 328 in step 330 and compressed between lower surface 332 ofmating portion 318 and the concave surface of recess 328.

FIG. 18 illustrates a tail light assembly basically similar to thoseshown in F165. 16 and 17 but where cap 334 is secured to base 336 bymeans of bolts 338 passing through flange 340 and threadedly securedwithin mating portion 342. The entire assembly T is secured to a vehicle(not shown) by means of double threaded bolts 344. As was the case inthe embodiments shown in FIG. 16, O-ring 346 is retained in recess 348and is compressed by mating portion 342.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19 is basically similar to that shownin FIG. 17 with O-ring 350 retained in recess 352 and compressed betweensealing portion 354 and mating portion 357. Double threaded bolts 358provide means for securing the assembly T to a vehicle body (not shown)as described in conjunction with FIG. 18.

While this invention has been described with particu lar reference tospecific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable offurther modifications. This application is, therefore, intended to coverany variations, uses, or adaptations of this invention following ingeneral the principles of this invention and including such departuresfrom the present disclosure as come within known or customary practicein the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scopeof this invention or the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A waterproof tail or clearance light assembly comprising:

a. a base having internal and external surfaces,

b. a lamp assembly secured to said base internal surface, said lampassembly including electrical leads extending through said base to saidbase external surface,

c. a cup-like cap cooperating with said base to form a closedreceptacle,

d. said base including a shoulder having an upper surface and furtherincluding an annular skirt projecting upwardly from said shoulder,

e. said base skirt having an external surface and a free end oppositesaidshoulder,

f. said base skirt external surface being provided with an annular ribcircumscribing said base skirt and being spaced a short distance fromsaid shoulder,

g. said base skirt external surface being further provided with anannular recess circumscribing said base skirt and being spaced from saidrib at a position intermediate between said rib and said free end, and

h. an O-ring positioned in said recess,

i. said cap comprising a lens portion and an annular skirt extendingfrom said lens portion and being in mating cooperation with said baseskirt,

j. said lens skirt being at least equal in height to the height of saidbase skirt,

k. said lens skirt having an internal surface being slightly flaredoutwardly, an edge opposite said lens and an annular recess in said lensskirt internal surface adapted to engage said rib,

l. a portion of said O'ring projecting outwardly from said base skirtand being in sealing contact with said lens skirt internal surface,

m. said lens skirt edge abutting said shoulder upper surface,

n. whereby when said cap is secured to said base, said lens skirtinternal surface cooperates with said base skirt external surface tocompress said O-ring and render said receptacle formed by saidcap andsaid base watertight.

2. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein:

a said base skirt includes an annular shoulder circumscribing saidskirt,

b said recess is positioned on said last mentioned shoulder,

3. A light assembly as in claim I and wherein said base includes a lightreflective flange.

4. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein said base skirt externalsurface is tapered.

5. A light assembly as in claim I and wherein:

a said lamp assembly is disposed within said base skirt.

6. A light assembly as in claim 1 and including:

a attachment means for securing said light assembly to a planar surface.

7. A light assembly as in claim 6 and wherein said attachment meansincludes:

a studs extending from said base external surface,

and

b nut means for frictionally engaging said studs.

8. A light assembly as in claim 1 and including:

a a desiccant material secured to said base internal surface anddisposed within said receptacle.

9. A light assembly as in claim 8 and wherein:

a said desiccant material is sheet-like.

10. A light assembly as in claim 9 and wherein:

a said desiccant material is secured to said base by means of studsprojecting from said base internal surface.

11. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein:

a said base member includes a wall forming a cup shaped reflectingreceptacle.

12. A light assembly as in claim 11 and wherein:

a said wall is flared.

13. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein:

a said base external surface is provided with a recess.

1. A waterproof tail or clearance light assembly comprising: a. a basehaving internal and external surfaces, b. a lamp assembly secured tosaid base internal surface, said lamp assembly including electricalleads extending through said base to said base external surface, c. acup-like cap cooperating with said base to form a closed receptacle, d.said base including a shoulder having an upper surface and furtherincluding an annular skirt projecting upwardly from said shoulder, e.said base skirt having an external surface and a free end opposite saidshoulder, f. said base skirt external surface being provided with anannular rib circumscribing said base skirt and being spaced a shortdistance from said shoulder, g. said base skirt external surface beingfurther provided with an annular recess circumscribing said base skirtand being spaced from said rib at a position intermediate between saidrib and said free end, and h. an O-ring positioned in said recess, i.said cap comprising a lens portion and an annular skirt extending fromsaid lens portion and being in mating cooperation with said base skirt,j. said lens skirt being at least equal in height to the height of saidbase skirt, k. said lens skirt having an internal surface being slightlyflared outwardly, an edge opposite said lens and an annular recess insaid lens skirt internal surface adapted to engage said rib, l. aportion of said O-ring projecting outwardly from said base skirt andBeing in sealing contact with said lens skirt internal surface, m. saidlens skirt edge abutting said shoulder upper surface, n. whereby whensaid cap is secured to said base, said lens skirt internal surfacecooperates with said base skirt external surface to compress said O-ringand render said receptacle formed by said cap and said base watertight.2. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said base skirtincludes an annular shoulder circumscribing said skirt, b. said recessis positioned on said last mentioned shoulder,
 3. A light assembly as inclaim 1 and wherein said base includes a light reflective flange.
 4. Alight assembly as in claim 1 and wherein said base skirt externalsurface is tapered.
 5. A light assembly as in claim 1 and wherein: a.said lamp assembly is disposed within said base skirt.
 6. A lightassembly as in claim 1 and including: a. attachment means for securingsaid light assembly to a planar surface.
 7. A light assembly as in claim6 and wherein said attachment means includes: a. studs extending fromsaid base external surface, and b. nut means for frictionally engagingsaid studs.
 8. A light assembly as in claim 1 and including: a. adesiccant material secured to said base internal surface and disposedwithin said receptacle.
 9. A light assembly as in claim 8 and wherein:a. said desiccant material is sheet-like.
 10. A light assembly as inclaim 9 and wherein: a. said desiccant material is secured to said baseby means of studs projecting from said base internal surface.
 11. Alight assembly as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said base member includes awall forming a cup shaped reflecting receptacle.
 12. A light assembly asin claim 11 and wherein: a. said wall is flared.
 13. A light assembly asin claim 1 and wherein: a. said base external surface is provided with arecess.